Myles Lewis-Skelly became England’s youngest-ever goalscoring debutant as the Thomas Tuchel era started with a win against Albania.
Having been named Sir Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor in October and started the role on New Year’s Day, the German head coach took charge for the first time in the World Cup qualifier as the road to North America next summer got under way.
Tuchel’s reign began with a 2-0 victory against a limited Albania team thanks to debutant Lewis-Skelly’s historic opener and Harry Kane’s record-extending 70th goal for England in front of a sell-out Wembley crowd.
A beautiful @BellinghamJude assist. A beautiful moment for @lewisskelly49.pic.twitter.com/CUIvwGZFni
— England (@England) March 21, 2025
Far tougher tests lie ahead but the new boss will have liked most of what he saw during his first match in the hotseat.
Lewis-Skelly repaid Tuchel’s faith when meeting a superb Jude Bellingham pass with a fine finish, becoming the youngest England player to score on his debut at the age of 18 years and 176 days.
Fellow debutant Dan Burn rattled the crossbar five days on from his Carabao Cup final goal for Newcastle at Wembley, before Kane added a deserved second late on.
“Welcome to the home of football, Thomas,” read a giant banner as the teams emerged for a match Tuchel’s side started on the front foot, enjoying 75 per cent of possession in the opening period.
That figure reached 88 per cent at some points, such was the way they passed and moved the ball, but there was a lack of cutting edge during a promising start.

Bellingham looked most likely to prise open obdurate Albania and provided the killer pass that did just that in 19th minute, slipping Lewis-Skelly behind to slot through the goalkeeper’s legs.
The 18-year-old, who only made his Arsenal debut in September, slid on his knees in celebration and was surrounded by his team-mates after England’s first goal under Tuchel.
There was a scare soon after as Burn cut out a cross and Jordan Pickford allowed the ball to loop onto the bar but Albania were soon on the back foot again.
There was a cheer as a paper plane landed on the pitch just before Bellingham’s toe poke was stopped by Thomas Strakosha, who again denied the battling midfielder before Berat Djimsiti brilliantly blocked Kane’s follow-up.
Towering defender Burn found space to meet a Declan Rice corner with a header that rattled the bar just before the break, with Kane glancing a header wise as England sought another goal during a solid start to the second half.
Off to a winning start 🙌
A 2-0 success to start the Thomas Tuchel era and our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying campaign. pic.twitter.com/lXJYDIJsHA
— England (@England) March 21, 2025
Tuchel’s side continued to play with patience but so long as the margin remained within one every half chance was roared on by Albania’s raucous following, including when Jasir Asani was denied by an important Ezri Konsa challenge.
Tuchel made a triple change – including taking off Marcus Rashford after winning his first cap since last March – after a header went wide from Kane, who settled any nerves in the 77th minute.
Arlind Ajeti failed to cut out Rice’s cross and England’s all-time top scorer masterfully took the ball down before finding the bottom right-hand corner.
Albania goalkeeper Strakosha was forced off soon after and Jordan Henderson came onto applause as he made his first appearance since November 2023.
Lewis-Skelly left to a standing ovation late on as attention turns to Latvia. Tuchel will be hoping substitute Anthony Gordon is fine for Monday’s match after receiving treatment at the final whistle.
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...

Manchester United will beat Arsenal to the signing of fearsome Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to a Liverpool legend.Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the world after registering an incredible 85 goals in 92 appearances for Sporting CP since joining the club in July 2023. The 26-year-old was prevented from leaving last summer by a massive €100mil...

The Canada international is poised to become a free agent this summer, leading to plenty of interest in him from top Premier League clubs.According to Empire of the Kop, it now looks like Liverpool are serious contenders to sign David ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham.It's not often quality players like David are available for free, so it ...

Ollie Watkins was a transfer target for Arsenal back in JanuaryArsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window with a new striker at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. But there are seemingly no plans to rekindle their interest in Ollie Watkins after their failed January swoop for the Aston Villa star.Watkins, 29, emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter transfer window...

Man Utd hand Amir Ibragimov his first professional contract🚨✍🏻 Official: Amir Ibragimov has signed his first professional contract for Manchester United.He’s highly rated internally among talents for the future. pic.twitter.com/YrkLvNUeRd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2025Real Madrid sign highly-rated Diego Aguado🚨⚪️ 18 year old talent Diego Aguado has signed new deal at ...

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...

Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...

David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...

Eddie Howe hailed Sandro Tonali’s shooting power after seeing him cap a fine display with a stunning winner to edge Newcastle into the race for Champions League qualification.The 24-year-old Italy international brought an incident-packed encounter to a fitting conclusion with a 74th-minute piledriver which beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an improbable angle to hand the Magpies a precious 2...



- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender